A SAINTLY KILLING is third in the Faith Morgan
mystery series, but
provided my introduction to the good lady and the parish
of
Little Worthy. I found the location confusing at first,
because some American terms are used like emporium and
sharing personal information, but it's possible that some
people in the south of England do use these terms now. So,
how could a crime be A SAINTLY KILLING?
Faith Morgan is the reverend in the parish of St. James,
and unusually she had been a police officer until
receiving
her calling to the vocation. Her human instincts and
previous training both kick in when a female artist is
found dead near the church. The villager who reports the
matter and asks Faith for help, noticed some marks on the
artist's skin - Faith sees for herself that the marks
could
have been caused by strangulation. Sal Hinkley had an
unusual lifestyle, according to the conservative locals.
Will the cause of death be linked to her artistic fellow
travellers, or nearer to home? George Casey, the press
officer for the diocese, drives over from Winchester and
he's determined that this outsider and her misfortune
mustn't cast any shadows on the congregation and upcoming
anniversary celebrations.
Suspects include ex-husband David McGarran, a local female
artist - but surely that's just professional rivalry - and
more. The locals are kindly with their incessant tea and
cake, but old-fashionedly suspicious of young people from
outside the town. Faith has to wrestle with her own
conscience on another issue. Her sister's ex-husband has
returned as the other woman he chose instead didn't work
out long-term. Should Faith forgive this man who hurt her
sister so badly? Not to mention that Faith's mother's
mental faculties seem to be going downhill.
Martha Ockley has provided a lovely story for mystery
enthusiasts. I enjoyed scenes such as ascending to the
belfrey to hang new bell-ropes, and the character
portraits
deftly drawn for us. The village, naturally, has a lot of
history, and the stored memories of the inhabitants are
shown to Faith, providing a full backdrop to the modern
events. We never quite know which may be clues to the
present crime, so it's wise to pay attention. A SAINTLY
KILLING may be a contradiction in terms, but fans of
countryside mysteries will certainly enjoy this series.
Faith Morgan is feeling settled and contented in her role
as
the vicar of Little Worthy. St James's is about to reach
its
900th anniversary and to celebrate Faith has commissioned
a
new painting of the church from distinguished local artist
Sal Hinkley.
However, Sal, recently returned from Australia, is not a
universally popular choice: outspoken and opinionated, she
has made her share of enemies.
Before the painting can be completed, Sal is found dead at
her easel. Suddenly, several respectable members of the
church community are under suspicion and Faith finds
herself
thrown into the path of her former flame, Detective
Inspector Ben Shorter, who, though he has no time for
God-botherers, still seems to have time for Faith…
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